Pet insurance may not seem worth it for healthy pets. My Karma-Kat has never been sick or injured in his eight years of life. And my two-year-old dog named Shadow-Pup also seems exceptionally healthy. But a devastating injury or illness never comes when expected. Can you afford the unthinkable?
Our Bullmastiff Bravo-Dawg mix required eye surgery at approximately nine months to relieve irritation from entropion (inward rolling eyelids). Then, at the age of two and a half, just as the pandemic began, the vet diagnosed his lameness as bone cancer, a disease all too common in giant breed dogs.
Bravo’s treatment included an expensive leg amputation, painkillers, and six rounds of chemotherapy, along with follow-up X-rays to monitor his progress. We lost him before his third birthday, but we gave our beloved Bravo an extra nine happy months because we could afford to treat him.
It is much more difficult to predict the potential risk with pets of unknown origin. If you know that your pet’s heredity or athleticism increases the risk of illness or injury, consider pet insurance.
When the unthinkable happens — a torn ACL in a canine athlete or breed-specific kidney problems in a feline friend — pet insurance saves money, provides needed care, and offers peace of mind (and fewer tears) for you. It can even make a great gift for dog lovers.
What does pet insurance cover?
Many people assume that pet insurance covers everything. But the basic plans only cover illnesses and accidents.
To reduce the risks of pet accidents, practice some pet safety tips. Vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, teeth cleanings, and flea treatments all require additional coverage, often referred to as pet wellness insurance plans. Exotic pet insurance covers animals other than cats and dogs, although few such policies are available.
Pet insurance may not cover experimental cancer treatments, kidney transplants, or alternative care such as chiropractic or acupuncture. But if your dog’s collar catches on something and causes an injury, insurance should cover the treatment. To avoid collar problems, here is a list of some of the best dog collars for 2021.
Advantages of pet insurance
Pet insurance covers pets regardless of their age, except for pre-existing conditions like cancer or kidney disease. Premiums increase with age, and different companies define “senior pet” at different ages.
Not all preexisting conditions disqualify pets. A cat that fully recovers from being hit by a car, or a dog that recovers from an electrical shock after chewing on Christmas lights, may still get coverage. Of course, you’ll want to prevent accidents as much as possible, especially ones that not only hurt your pet but also damage your home.
Policies may set a monetary limit on claims. Limits can be annual, per condition or incident or lifetime. Some policies place limits on hereditary or congenital conditions but offer no limits on coverage for accidents or illness.
Deductibles can also be annual (good), per incident (not so good), or lifetime (great!), so read the fine print so you know what you’re getting.
Cons of pet insurance
Pets prone to hip dysplasia, bloat, kidney disease, cataracts, or knee injury may have these conditions excluded from the basic policy. Make sure coverage includes issues that may affect your particular pet. Long-bodied, short-legged dachshunds and similar canines prone to back injuries may require additional coverage just in case. The premium may cost more or an additional rider may be required.
Certain plans participate only with listed network veterinarians (similar to some human healthcare plans). Others allow the choice of any veterinarian. Additional differences may include variations in the cost of the deductible or higher premiums for certain metropolitan areas that have higher typical veterinary rates.